National Republican., 1887-03-03
Home Rule.

The NATIONAL REPUBLICAN, yesterday
stated that this District was not territory,
aud that the platform OF the Democratic
pSr,y adopted at Chicago did not pledge 1t
TO give the offices OF the District to the
people OF the District
As TO the political status OF that portion
OF this great republic known as the Dis.
tiict of Columbia, 1t is only necessary to
consult page 419, volume 16, Of the United
States Statutes at Large. The law ap-
proved Feb. 81, 1S71 Gays that the District
Of Columbia "is constituted o body corpo-
rate for municipal purposes" That is all,
and "a body corporate for municipal pur-
poses" is no more territory than is hawk
a handsaw.
The NATIONAL REPUBLICAN, knew what
it was about when 1t asserted that the
Democratic platform did not adopt any
plank promising home rule.
The facts are that Col. William Dickson,
delegate from the District of Columbia.
ofYored the following resolution:
Rosoircd, That the national Democracy coz
denn the practice carried out by the Repub-
lican administration of appointing non-resi-
adrioWs territories Of TIC United Staics AND THE
DISTRICT or COLUMBIA, and that q resolution
,mbodyng this principle be inserted in the
platform TO be adopted by this convention.
This resolution recognized that the Dis
trict OF Columbia is not territory, and the
Democratic convention deliberately ignored
1t In the resolution on this subject which it
did adopt. That reads as follows: "The
selection OF federal officers for the terri
tories should be restricted to citizens
previously resident therein" The conven-
ton which nominated Mr.. Cleveland
refused, when II was requested to do so, to
pledge Its candidates to appoint citizens of
the District Of Columbia to the offices of
the District, and it is more than probable
that President Cleveland read the proceed
ings Of the convention and determined to
stand by the platform of his party.
All the offices In the District of Colum-
bil that are appointed by the President
and confirmed by the Senate are federal
Offices. When Abraham Lincoln, Gen.
Grant, and other Presidents appointed citi-
zers Of other localities to Office at the ma.
tional capital, the cry Of carpet. bagger was
not raised, because the District Of Colum.
bia then enjoyed home rule, its citizens
electing all their local officers.
When Congress became responsible FOL
the debt Of the District 1t changed the form
of government and placed the control Of
all the District Offices in the President, sub
ject to confirmation by the Senate, forming
q hoard Of commissioners clothed with all
executive power, retaining all legislative
power to itself, and denying the people
representation or voice in the selection Of
their rulers.
The NATIONAL REPUBLICAN believes In
home rule, advocates home rule, and that
taxation and representation should go hand
in hand, but that does not change the fact:
as to our present condition, nor justify the
personal abuse heaped upon the President
of the United States by some of our con
temuoraries. Politically we are opposed tc
the President. In many things he ha'
demonstrated deep political sagacity, ant
in none more SO than In his persisten
efforts to induce colored voters, in doubt
full states of the north, to look upon him q;
their political friend and leader. The con
Iekt Win inc Seuutc oVcr tno llbtie olucc VI
recorder of deeds will be magnided by his
supporters In 1888, to an extent that many
colored men will look upon President Cleve
lard as their political Moses, unless Re-
publican Senate confirms James Monroe
Trotter.
If the press and citizens of the District Of
Columbia desire home rule, let them uuitt
without regard to party and secure fol
themselves the privilege or right Of fran
elise, and not quarrel with the Presiden
al out who shall hold one little Office, ant
call that ''defending home rule" Let ou
people invite the President to initlat,
friendly legislation in his next annua
message TO Congress, and let them petition
cur law makers as one man to make sucl
charge In our form Of government as vii
give the people of this District home rul,
in fact as well as in name.